fbpx

Our face, ageing and thin skin - McDowell's Herbal Treatments

As we age, the skin becomes thinner and the distribution of fat and bone changes. The underlying fat, so abundant at infancy, is slowly lost. The skin's connective tissue, called collagen and elastin, undergo changes, causing the skin to lose firmness and becomes dry and more fragile.

stock older woman SMLL

The sweat and oil-secreting glands in the skin also decrease, which makes it harder for the skin to hold moisture. The blood vessels naturally become more fragile, so they are more likely to rupture and leak into the skin.

On your face and the back of your hands where skin is most exposed to the sun it is particularly noticeable that the exposure removes the calciferol layer beneath skin-which is fatty tissue insulator.

Skin changes can also be caused by: years of poor nutrition, high stress levels, exposure to environmental pollution, and destructive lifestyle choices, such as cigarette smoking or alcohol and drug abuse. However the greatest single factor is sun exposure. This can be seen by comparing areas of your body that have regular sun exposure with areas that are protected from sunlight.

The symptoms of aging skin include dryness, itchiness, thinning or thickening of the skin, wrinkles and fine lines, age or liver spots, and a mottled appearance.

The skin may take more time to heal when injured. Blood vessels are easier to see through the thinning skin, also because they become dilated with age. These blood vessels may be visible as red formations on the skin or as broken capillaries on the face .

Many people develop purplish spots or patches on the skin created by small hemorrhages in the skin. Older skin has less protection against sun damage because the protective cells decrease with age.

An elderly person can also bruise very easily which could be due to a lack of bioflavinoids. These are found in the pith of lemons and other citrus fruit, and in the white bits in capsicums. It is the rutin in this pith that strengthens the vein walls. Rutin can also be found in buckwheat, and black currants.

Other minerals and vitamins required to protect the skin include:

  • Silica - found in garlic, strawberries, oats apples, pineapple, lettuce
  • Vitamin F - lecithin; protects cell membranes found in seeds, sesame, deep sea fish, fish oils, wheat germ and oats.
  • Vitamin C - found in rosehips, green salads, berry fruits, lemon water (cut up whole lemon and add to jug of water)
  • Vitamin B5 - found in seeds and grains
  • Vitamin B6 - pith of lemon

Moisturizers only hold the existing moisture in the skin by creating a barrier, so as the skin ages it is necessary to apply moisturizers much more frquently.

  • Paw paw cream and emu oil may be beneficial in the elderly by supplying their skin with the critical fatty acids required for skin and tissue nutrition.
  • Externally, skin healing herbs include aloe vera, chickweed, elecampane and calendula flowers, should be applied. 

McDowells Products

Skin Magic Cream
The herbal extracts in this preparation have been traditionally used to assist with all-round skin health and glow. Ingredients include:- Elecampane, Maritime Pine bark, Chamomile, Hypericum Oil, Slippery Elm, Thuja and Equisetum along with the Bach Flower Remedies:- Walnut, Rescue Remedy, Crab Apple and water Violet.

Collagen
McDowells Phytoceuticals Beef Collagen Hydrolysate contains smaller pre-digested peptides compared to those found in other proteins, allowing them to be absorbed by the body more rapidly than intact proteins, thus maximising nutrient delivery to cells. This greater bio-availability makes McDowells Phytoceuticals Beef Collagen Hydrolysate ideal when used for health and beauty treatments.

Maritime Pine Bark 
Maritime Pine Bark is a natural antioxidant. It is an excellent source of flavonoids and has anti-inflammatory properties that work to protect the body from harmful free radicals, helps boost the immune system and strengthens blood vessel walls and capillaries. This specialist antioxidant is nearly 25 times more powerful than Vitamin C.

NATURAL OILS FOR GORGEOUS SKIN!

Have a question? Contact McDowell's Herbal Treatments

Get in Touch

We are open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. AEST. You can also contact us by phone or email.

02 6331 3937
+61 2 6331 3937(Int)
info@mcdowellsherbal.com

McDowell's staff Herbalists can not diagnose your disease or illness. What they can do is offer a herbal program to assist with healing, after you have had advice from your doctor or specialist. If you have unexplained pain or symptoms, seek medical advice.

EMAIL info@mcdowellsherbal.com  |  PHONE 02 6331 3937  |  INTERNATIONAL +61 2 6331 3937